Chapter 70
Once, Evelyn Sinclair had been sharp-witted yet untouched by the world’s cruelties—clever, resourceful, but still carrying an air of innocence. Sheltered by the Whitmore family, she had never needed to stoop to underhanded schemes.
But after her marriage into the Blackwood family and her separation from Sebastian, her mind had been poisoned by bitterness and deception. She remembered the moment the “Crimson Heart” necklace was unveiled on stage—the devastation in Sebastian’s eyes. In that instant, she wondered if she had gone too far.
Truthfully, she could have ignored the necklace entirely. There had been no need to humiliate Sebastian so publicly at the auction. Yet, she couldn’t resist.
It wasn’t lingering resentment over their divorce that drove her. She had already accepted that the love she had chased for thirteen years was dead.
No, what infuriated her was Sebastian’s blindness. How could he not see the truth about the woman he loved? She silently vowed never to interfere in their relationship again.
A sharp ache pierced her chest, and she smiled bitterly. This would be the last time. She wouldn’t dirty her hands with Sebastian and Vanessa’s mess again.
Suddenly, the restroom door slammed open with a violent crash. Evelyn didn’t flinch, merely lifting an icy gaze toward the intruder.
Vanessa Delacroix stood there, trembling with fury.
She hiked up her heavy gown and stormed toward Evelyn.
“Evelyn! You vile witch!”
“Three years, and your insults still lack creativity?” Evelyn replied coolly, unfazed by the venom in Vanessa’s voice.
“It was you! You put the necklace Sebastian gave me up for auction! How low can you sink?” Vanessa took another step forward but stumbled over her own skirt, nearly toppling over.
Her face flushed crimson with embarrassment.
“I donated it for charity. What are you even talking about, Vanessa? You shouldn’t point fingers when you’re the one at fault.” Evelyn stepped back, wary of Vanessa lunging at her.
She was exhausting. Evelyn half-considered getting a rabies shot afterward.
“Evelyn! You’re just bitter because you couldn’t keep him! You think this pathetic stunt will ruin us? Sebastian would never—”
“You didn’t want the necklace anymore. You sold it. It wasn’t yours to claim. If you’re angry, blame yourself. Don’t drag me into your drama.”
Evelyn turned away, done wasting words on Vanessa. She wouldn’t even spare her another glance. If not for Sebastian, she would never have crossed paths with such a hypocrite.
“Don’t you dare walk away!” Vanessa’s rage flared. She seized Evelyn’s wrist and yanked hard.
Pain shot through Evelyn’s arm, her brow furrowing. Then, Vanessa viciously ripped off the emerald bracelet Archibald Blackwood had gifted her, leaving an angry red mark on her skin.
“Give it back!” Evelyn snarled, eyes blazing.
Vanessa clutched the bracelet, coveting it the moment she had seen it. That old man had given it to the one woman she despised most!
“Evelyn, you stole what was rightfully mine! If I can’t have it, neither will you!” With a cruel smirk, she hurled the bracelet against the marble sink.
“No!”
The sickening crack of shattering emeralds tore through Evelyn’s heart.
